Just like your favorite dress or most beloved pair of flats, your handbag needs to be swapped out every so often. One surefire way to earn your cool-girl credentials is to begin sporting a bag from an up-and-coming new brand before any of your friends discover it. If you're in the market for the brand-new handbag—or just want to know what's on trend this season—leave it to us. We're tracking down the latest bag launches and emerging designers that'll keep your accessories game elevated.
To get you started, check out the seven brands below. Your new favorite bag awaits you.
Ganni
Danish brand Ganni is on a mission to outfit your entire closet and, it knows handbags are essential to one's wardrobe. Though the brand released a few bags as part of its accessories category (the label also makes shoes and sunglasses), it officially turned its attention to high-end contemporary leather handbags in May 2019. The debut lineup showcased five key shapes: drawstring, small drawstring, bucket, tote, and the crossbody.
Every bag is handcrafted in Italy and designed with a bold color palette, ranging from bright yellows to fiery reds. They're also multifunctional with details like removable/adjustable straps and an inner pouch with drawstring closure.
LALA LÉXA
When you need a fancy bag for weddings, cocktail parties, or dinners with the beau, this accessory brand is here for you. Designed by Alexa Mateen-Abdi (who was a founding member of Tinder), these clutches merge modern art with functionality, which perhaps explains why Mateen's accessories look so aesthetically pleasing and elegant. The lucite clutches have been spotted on celebs like Natalie Portman, Emma Watson, and Jane Fonda, proving it's a coveted piece by everyone. Before your next soirée, peruse the collection and snag one asap before it sells out.
Delaroq
After working for fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Prada, Jennifer Lyu debuted her own handbag line Delaroq, focusing on the minimalist aesthetic. "In a very crowded market with an affection for maximalism, I wanted to stand out with a minimal aesthetic focused on leather savoire faire and ample functionality to up our game," she said.
Her current styles are based on the upcycling concept, where most of the raw materials used for the bags are excess or stocked items, in keeping with Lyu's mission to make sustainable accessories. Her designs are sleek and perfect for everyday wear, whether they're paired with jeans and a tee or a little black dress.
Jeff Wan
The colorful bags in Jeff Wan's collection are inspired by his native home, Mauritius, an island known for its beaches, lagoons, and reefs near East Africa. The bag silhouettes, however, actually reflect the demands of an urban lifestyle—they range from a fashionable work tote bag to a carryall backpack. (Though, if you do want something out of the ordinary, he offers a handbag shape inspired by milk/juice cartons.)
As a vetted designer hailing from labels like Michael Kors and Coach, Wan definitely has an eye for the next best thing, and you can count on him to design it in vibrant hues.
Sunnei
Simone Rizzo and Loris Messina, founders of the menswear label Sunnei, just tapped into women's accessories by launching handbags. These come in several unique shapes, including the long duffle-esque style. As part of the campaign launch, the duo had the photographer shoot seven models in the nude, wearing only the brand's bags. It was to "narrate the collection through the lens of Milan-based photographer Carolina Amoretti." Once these naked photos grabbed your attention, they also made you look twice at that cool bag in the model's hands or shoulders.
Cafuné
If you're not familiar with Cafuné yet, now is the time. The brand was founded by Queenie Fan and Day Lau in 2015 and has been spotted on the streets of New York Fashion Week and beyond. The structured designs are fun and unconventional (check out those acrylic beaded handles) yet timeless and easily wearable. Cafuné's spring 2019 collection, in particular, was inspired by the art movement Impressionism, drawing on colors and feelings from Claude Monet's notable Water Lilies series. I'm in love with that purple purse.
DeMellier
Founded by Mireia Llusia-Lindh, all DeMellier handbags are handcrafted in the south of Spain by local artisans using the finest Italian and Spanish materials. Because the bags are so polished and chic, it's no surprise they're a hit with the royal crew. Princess Beatrice was one of the first to start carrying the brand, followed by Pippa Middleton, then everyone's favorite duchess, Meghan Markle. (She owns the mini venice bag in forest green!) Other celebrity fans of the brand include Emily Blunt, Beyoncé, and Lily Collins. Feel like a star with one of the options, below.
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